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Open Door People

Open Door is a charity working to increase access to drama schools for those from low income backgrounds. Open Door participants are exceptionally talented in their field, age 18-25 and have a household income of under £30,000.

Open Door removes existing barriers for our participants including financial. Drama school auditions cost between £46 and £64 each and some interviews for backstage courses can cost between £24-£54.Open Door offers fee waivers for all seven of our partner schools, LAMDA, RADA, RCS, RWCMD, Guildhall, Drama centre and RCSSD.

During our free 8 month part time course all participants will have access to regular free theatre tickets at theatres including The National Theatre, The Nottingham Playhouse, The Curve Theatre and The Donmar Warehouse. Participants are also offered expenses associated with the courses and with their drama school applications including travel expenses and working materials. Open Door workshop leaders include internationally recognised movement director Polly Bennett. They will also receive bespoke workshops by all seven Open Door partner drama schools. Open Door backstage participants receive a programme designed around their specialism including one to one tutoring sessions with Open Door tutor Sarah Alford Smith. Sarah is a leading stage manager and regularly works at theatres including The Donmar and The National. Backstage participants will also enjoy studio and rehearsal visits relevant to their field, in 2019 this included visits and Q&A’s with designers including Magda Willi and Frankie Bradshaw. Backstage participants will also have the opportunity to attend work experience and shadowing at some of London and the East Midlands leading theatres including The Young Vic and Nottingham Playhouse.

We aim to level the playing field for people from low income backgrounds and increase access to career level training and ultimately into the industry. We are excited to join Stage Sight and be part of a network of individuals and organisations with similar goals to our own.